Chapitre 10: Dual to Death
"You let my son go first. I guarantee you can walk out of here safely," Caius said with a grimace.
Adrian Eternus sneered at Caius's words. "You're pathetic. Do you think I'll believe empty words? If you're sincere, have the crossbowmen behind you lower their weapons first. I promise I won't kill him. But make no mistake—if I see one sign of trouble, I'll sever your son's head instantly."
Caius turned to his men and bellowed, "Lower your weapons!" He then faced Adrian again and said, "Now, tell me what you want."
Adrian's grin widened. "We've known each other for years, Caius, but today it ends. Let me call you an old friend—let's settle this with a duel. A fight to the death. If I die, everything ends here, and your son will be saved. But if you die, I promise not to hurt anyone else in your Shadowborn mercenary corps. You know I keep my word, unlike you."
Caius's face darkened. The odds were clearly against him, and he knew it.
Five years ago, when Adrian first joined the Shadowborn mercenary corps, Caius could have defeated him effortlessly. Three years ago, he could still have suppressed Adrian with ease. One year ago, it took everything Caius had to match him.
Now, Adrian, a fifth-level battle mage, stood before him as an indomitable force. Though Caius was a sixth-level warrior and theoretically had the advantage, his body was no longer what it used to be.
Half-orcs like Caius rarely lived beyond sixty, and his time was nearly up. The past couple of years had taken a heavy toll on him. His body had weakened significantly; his once-mighty lion warhammer was now too heavy for him to wield effectively. Forced to rely on a lighter axe, he could no longer fight with the same vigor.
While his extensive combat experience remained a strength, it offered little advantage against Adrian, who had also fought his way through countless battles and honed his skills amidst mountains of corpses.
Caius knew that accepting this duel was a death sentence. Adrian was simply too strong. Yet, his son was in Adrian's hands, and everything Caius did was for him.
Though Caius had no illusions about his son's mediocrity, he felt he had no choice. With only a few years left to live, he had to pave the way for his son's future, no matter the cost.
He made his decision. Though old and frail, the courage that had once made the name "Shadowfang Caius" feared throughout Kruger still flickered within him.
"Fine. I'll accept your duel," Caius said finally.
"Good." Adrian grinned. This was exactly what he wanted.
Adrian struck the back of Caius's son with the hilt of his sword, knocking the young half-orc unconscious. He handed the limp figure to Kuro, who stood nearby.
"Keep an eye on him," Adrian instructed. "If he wakes up, knock him out again. And if anything goes wrong during the duel—say, if a third party interferes—don't hesitate to kill him."
Adrian's voice was deliberately loud, a warning aimed at Caius: "Your son's life is still in my hands. Don't try anything foolish."
Caius understood the threat clearly. Without a word, he removed his coat, revealing a suit of finely forged chain mail beneath. Drawing two short axes from his waist, he stepped into the center of the field.
Adrian sighed as he watched Caius prepare. Slowly, he lifted his narrow sword and approached. "Caius, I remember meeting you seven years ago. Back then, you were the strongest warrior in Revernus. Even five years ago, when I joined the Shadowborn mercenary corps, you were still a force to be reckoned with."
"But look at you now. You're old, fragile, and weak. Your failing body is bad enough, but worse is how your spirit has withered. You've become timid and spineless, more like a thief than a warrior. All you care about now is securing a legacy for your son, who's nothing but an incompetent fool."
"The honor, the pride that once defined you—they're gone. The Caius I admired is dead. All that's left is a husk, clinging desperately to the past."
Adrian's voice hardened. "If the Shadowborn mercenary corps is doomed, it won't be because of you or your useless son. If it comes to that, I'll destroy it myself, with my own hands."
"Come, old man. Show me if there's anything left of the warrior you used to be."
Caius sneered at Adrian's words. "Don't think you can rattle me with talk."
Adrian sighed and shook his head. "I've said my piece. Let's finish this."
Raising his sword, Adrian pointed it directly at Caius. "Let me give you a warrior's death."
"You'll have to earn it," Caius growled. With a sharp movement, he hurled one of his short axes at Adrian.
The spinning axe carved through the air in a deadly arc, aiming straight for Adrian's head.
Caius's precision was impeccable. The skill behind the throw earned murmurs of approval from the Shadowborn mercenaries watching from the sidelines.
But Adrian remained unfazed. He sighed inwardly. "The old ghost is truly past his prime."
Effortlessly, Adrian sidestepped the axe, letting it whistle past him and embed itself in the ground behind him. He fixed his gaze on Caius and advanced, his sword glinting ominously in the dim light.
The fight had only just begun, but it was clear that Adrian held the upper hand.
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